May 15-21, 2013 - Original Health Articles

Is It Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Something Else?

The most common irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms—abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea, bloating, or constipation—are the uncomfortable and inconvenient gastrointestinal (GI) complaints that bring many patients to their doctor, says Steven Lamm, MD, author of No Guts, No Glory (Basic Health Publications, 2012).

8 Bad Habits That Really Aren't So Bad

You may want to think twice before dropping these habits like, well, a bad habit: 1.  Spreading (okay, sharing) Gossip. Did you hear? A bit of gossip can be good for you-especially if the information is helpful to others and may warn them of someone else's bad behavior.

Coming Clean About "Good" Germs, "Bad" Germs, and Childhood Allergies

When it comes to living a clean lifestyle, it's important to recognize that not all germs are created equal, according to a study presented at the Excellence in Paediatrics conference in Madrid in November 2012. The researchers—who are affiliated with the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene—explain the difference.

5 Ways to Get to Bed Earlier

If you're a night owl, you may be missing out on the important benefits—both physical and mental—of hitting the hay earlier. Many people get distracted watching television or surfing the Internet into the wee hours of the morning leaving them tired and irritable the next day.

Does That Food Contain Allergens? Ask Your Cell Phone

Most people with food allergies already know it's essential to read food labels and be vigilant about avoiding certain allergens. Yet it's not always possible to prevent cross-contamination that occurs during food manufacturing or preparation, so your efforts may not be enough to keep you safe.

Breathe Easier Tonight: How A Humidifier Can Help

If you live in a dry climate or heat your home during winter months, a humidifier can help moisten the air and reduce irritation in your bronchial tubes. And depending on what triggers your symptoms, a humidifier can also help reduce the risk of an asthma attack.

5 Diet Rules You Can Ignore

"Adopting extreme rules is one of the fastest ways to prevent weight-loss success," says Heidi McIndoo, MS, RD, author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to 200-300-400 Calorie Meals. QualityHealth asked McIndoo to help bust these five long-held dieting tricks.

Exposure To Everyday Items May Be Causing Childhood Asthma

Canned foods. Cash receipts. Hard-plastic toys. Dental sealants. Wonder what all of these items all have in common? They contain a chemical called Bisphenol A (BPA), and as such, they could be linked to your child's asthma. This finding, which comes from Columbia researchers, was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in March 2013.

IBS: Real Condition, Real Symptoms

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) has traditionally been difficult-to-define. Usually composed of a cluster of complaints-bloating, abdominal cramping, gas, diarrhea and constipation-that come and go. But new research points to several triggers of the problem (not just a single cause) and an article in the New England Journal of Medicine stated a review of data found that IBS symptoms are definitely not "all in the head.

Need a Second Opinion? New Options Available

Should you get a second opinion? "If you're asking yourself this question, it's usually a good idea," says Jonathan L. Schaffer, MD, MBA, an orthopaedic arthroplasty surgeon in Cleveland Clinic's Orthopaedic and Rheumatologic Institute. Schaffer also serves as the managing director of Cleveland Clinic's MyConsult program, which enables people from all over the country, and even the world, to request a second opinion online, often from a multidisciplinary team of experts.

5 Ways You Could Be Adding to Workplace Stress

Being a good boss isn't easy, but it may help to know that most people want to follow an effective leader. If your job involves supervising others, your actions could be the reason your employees aren't and your efforts are failing. Workplace stress caused...

Could Poor Sleep Lead to Cognitive Decline?

Can't remember the last time you got a good night's sleep? This memory lapse may not be a coincidence, according to a groundbreaking study from the University of California. Scientists there have discovered that poor sleeping patterns as you age may be causing cognitive issues.

How to Become a Diabetes Advocate

If you want to lead the healthiest possible life with diabetes, it's time to step up and become an advocate. And if you know someone with diabetes, advocacy can help improve care for him or her as well. In fact, as a diabetes advocate, you'll help promote better medical care for all.

Got a New Address? Relocation Tips to Help You Settle In

Moving to a new location can be quite exciting, but all the changes that accompany relocating can also cause your stress levels to rise. Here's how to bring calm to the chaos: Research Your Relocation "Some of our clients' biggest relocation concerns include adjusting to the new environment, creating a social life outside of work, and building a new support network," says Jeff Mahoney, Executive Vice President of Churchill Corporate Services.

7 Natural Remedies for the Flu

If you're down with the flu and want some relief, you might not need to go to the drug store to find it. Some of the best natural remedies for influenza are right in your own home. Influenza is a viral illness that doesn't respond to antibiotics. If you see your doctor very soon after you become ill, she might be able to give you an anti-viral medication to reduce the virus's impact and shorten the amount of time you're sick.

COPD: 5 Supplements That Can Help

If food is the best medicine, are supplements the second best? That's a question some patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease are asking. Find out if natural supplements can help patients with COPD breathe easier. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is sometimes called emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

Bipolar Disorder: Foods That Help and Foods That Hurt

Bipolar disorder is a complicated mental health condition that provides experts plenty of food for thought. In fact, mental health experts agree there are foods that are helpful and foods that are harmful in dealing with the ups and downs of bipolar disorder.

Breast Cancer and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Twenty-three percent of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to researchers from the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. African-American and Asian women and women younger than age 50 are at especially high risk.

The Health Benefits of Grape Seed Extract

There's been growing awareness in recent years of the health benefits of vitus vinifera, the seeds of red wine grapes. They contain antioxidants known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), which may offer important health-protective properties, including helping you to maintain better overall cardiovascular health.

How to Keep Your Senses Sharp as You Age

Your perception of the world around you would be quite different if not for your five senses. Your eyes, nose, tongue, ears, and skin work together so that you can recognize the many different sensations that guide your choices and behavior throughout each day.

Enjoy These Diabetes-Friendly Treats

Can you have your cookies and eat them, too? You sure can, if you make some simple swaps. By switching out refined sugar for non-nutritive sweeteners, you'll be able to turn out not just cookies, but cakes, muffins, and quick breads that have fewer calories than their traditional counterparts.

Easy-Access Drugs That Teens Abuse

Most households have them: cough and cold medications we've purchased to help our kids (and ourselves) feel better when a common cold or flu hits. Many of us keep painkillers that were prescribed for an ailment we had but no longer need on a daily basis; the same goes for sleep aids and anti-anxiety drugs.

Meningitis Outbreaks: How to Protect Your Family

Outbreaks of meningitis most often occur in late winter and early spring. While viral meningitis is generally less dangerous than bacterial, it still requires medical attention to identify the source of infection. Some types of meningitis are much more serious than others.

Senior Volunteers: Finding Opportunities That Make a Difference

If you've ever wondered how you can make a real difference, look no further than volunteering. Sharing your wealth of life experience, perspective, and knowledge can enrich the lives not just of your grandchildren, but young people everywhere. Helping out young people can give you a renewed energy, says April Masini, a relationship expert, author of four books and founder of the website, AskApril.

How to Break Up With Your Healthcare Professional

Staying healthy requires a professional team approach. The doctors, personal trainers, massage therapists, and other healthcare professionals we choose for our team help us stay at the top of our game or give us a boost when we're not at our best. What if your healthcare professional isn't a good team player? Then it's time to bench him.

Immune to Cancer: Is It Possible?

You know the immune system is a collection of reactions and responses in our body that protects us from infections and disease. But can it protect us from cancer? There are two types of immune responses: innate and acquired. Everyone has innate immune protection, which is always prepared to defend us.

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